Friday, July 20, 2012

It was Friday afternoon and there was so much going on around me and inside my mind. I had just had a fight with my boyfriend. I really don't understand my boyfriend sometimes. We're doing the long distance thing and it seems like it's causing us to fight a lot. I was not in a mood to do any work at office. But there was an email from my boss for a new project. I checked it and quickly went through the requirements of the project. Everything was same, like the previous projects - Situation overview, industry analysis, competitor analysis and SWOT analysis was required.

Life has become really boring, I thought. Then only at that moment I got a ping from Ruchi “Let’s take a break”. Ruchi was my best friend. I closed my mailbox and went to the cafeteria with her. There our whole gang of girls was there - Paridhi, Seema, Suchi, Niharika and Isha gossiping and giggling about something. We too joined them. After coffee, samosas and some gossips, topic changed to hair problems. Everyone started cribbing immediately about their hair problems.

Paridhi complained about her dull and lifeless hair. Whereas Ridhi had dandruff problem. Seema was worried about her hairfall and Isha was not happy with her fizzy hair. Niharika had just got her hair colored but her color was getting dull day by day.I advised Paridhi to use Henna for getting shine in her hair. Ruchi advised Ridhi to use curd to reduce dandruff. For Seema we concluded that proper diet could reduce her hairfall. But we could not get any solution for fizzy hair or how to have hair color longer. After having solutions for hair problems, another problem arose and that was all the hair care regime required time, which was the only thing we were lacking in our overburdened jobs. The discussion lasted around half an hour instead of the usual 15 minutes break. By that time, I was feeling good again. So we got back to our workstations.

I was going through the project requirements when suddenly an idea struck into my mind. “Let me research on hair problems”. The analyst in me started working overtime. I searched on Factiva and Google. Within few minutes, I got a lot of data and information which was an eye-opener for me.

On analyzing the data, I was amazed to find that 70% Indians have dandruff. According to one recent hair care survey, split-ends and dryness were the two major hair concerns of the urban Indian woman. While 55% women were experiencing dry and rough hair after a wash and 22% were worried about split-ends. 49% felt that they end up damaging their hair in the process of making it look beautiful So it was not only me and my friends but most of the population was suffering from hair problems.

I decided to share it with my friends. Was about to ping them, when I thought why don’t I make a SWOT analysis of this whole issue.

In general Indian women hair strength is long length and beautiful black texture but they have to face all sorts of hair problems like – Hair fall, Dandruff, premature graying and split ends which come under Weakness.Hot and humid climate, exposure to sun in summer and cold winds in winter are catalyst to major threat in terms of detrenching the moisture from hair and make it dull.Other threats are include pollution and hard water of the metro cities. Hard water makes the hair fizzier. Worklife balance is emerging as major threat for hair for working women in India. Maintaining worklife balance always led to compromise on ME time, hence no time or very little time to take care of their hair – (proper oiling and using henna, shikakai etc.)Every women is different and so is her hair and so are her hair problems. Hence, not one solution can be best for everyone. Everyone needs different solution for her hair problems. Hence it’s important that we get a solution which is different for each one of us yet something which doesn’t require a lot of our time. On further research, I got to know that there is no brand in the market which provides different hair solution for everyone. There are anti dandruff, herbal or normal shampoos. Surprisingly, Dove had it all. It was the only brand with ¼ moisture milk which was mild in nature and had a hair care range for each of the specific hair problem. Dove seems to be the best opportunity in hair care world.

Factors that influence the scalp condition -

So, if your concern is dry and rough hair, you can nourish it with the Dove Nourishing Oil Care range. It is enhanced with Vita Oils that go deep inside the hair fiber and help lock in the nourishment of oil making your hair smooth, shiny and beautiful with every wash. For those of you who are worried about split-ends, the Dove Intense Repair range is your perfect pick. It contains advanced Fibre Actives that reconstructs hair from within, starts repairing hair and reduces damage by 99% from the first wash. Plus the Micro Moisture Serum goes to the root of the problem and repairs accumulated damage, which is the reason for hair breakage and spilt-ends. From the unilever report, I got to know that dove is the most preferred hair product in India. To my surprise the shampoo penetration in India was around 80%. I did not know a country that is so much poverty striven will have 80% shampoo penetration. Key facts• Over 1 million women consumers in India have used it and loved the products.• Dove is the fastest growing shampoo brand in India in 2007-08• Dove Haircare has its presence in North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East

Equipped with all this information, I called my gang and showed them all the facts. Paridhi, Ruchi, Ridhi, Isha, Niharika everyone was impressed. We then decided on a plan of action. Niharika started using Color Repair Shampoo & conditioner to prevent hair color from fading; I started using Breakage Therapy shampoo, along with its conditioner, Serum and Hair mask to make my hair strong; All the other girls started using Daily Therapy shampoo & conditioner to restore softness and get manageable hair;

Along with this we decided on certain habits in our daily schedule -• Eat healthy foods that aid the hair in staying strong and lustrous. Walnuts, almonds and Milk gives hair a smooth shine. Protein is also critical for keeping hair healthy, but many people don't get enough. Lean meat like fish, chicken, eggs, and soy products are good sources of protein;• Use cooler water to wash and rinse your hair the last time• To get more shine, volume, and bounce in your hair, use hair creams, olive oil, or (this really works!) mayo and an egg.• Do a 'steam-towel-wrap' once in a while, if your cuticles are damaged, as this steaming opens out the pores and absorbs the oil.• Have a trim every six to eight weeks• Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase--cotton pillowcases makes hair look dry; they suck out the moisture and can cause frizz.• When using hairspray, make sure you wash out thoroughly as it will damage the cuticle in the hair; this is how split ends are caused.• To get beautiful streaks at home, mix honey and alum, an aluminum compound sold in most drugstores.• Wrap wet hair gently in a towel. • Mix a little vinegar in warm water and rinse your hair with this solution. This will add bounce to dull and lifeless hair.

After 3 months -

My whole gang changed their habits and used dove hair care range for 3 months. For the first time, I saw the actual results of my research.Yes, my hair had started looking healthier …. and that was the end of my hair problems. And that was the end of hair problems for Ruchi, Paridhi, Isha, Seema, Niharika.

The verdict - No matter what your hair problem is, you can now leave it behind with Dove. And for those of you who want to learn more about your hair, find out with the Dove Hair-aware app. It helps you understand your hair better and also gives you the right solution to leave your hair problems behind forever!

"I wonder when you will ever grow. Do you even realize you are elder to him ?" Mom shouted with frustration. Yes it was me and my younger brother fighting again over something very trivial. Actually it is always this.

"Why should I when he is the one at fault? Can't I even defend myself and make my stand clear?" I yelled back at my mom.

God knows how many times this has happened over the past 13 years. Believe me, it is not that easy to be an elder when you have a brother who is 3 years younger to you.
I looked furiously at Nitiksh and went to watch TV but he came there as well. He always has a tendency to disrupt my TV viewing by changing the channel without permission, pounding me with pillows, or making disgusting noises.

Frustrated, I moved to my room and started reading comics. Nitiksh came again from behind and started pulling my ponytail. I shouted loudly and pushed him back. “One more time if you both will fight, I will lock you inside the bathroom” Mom threatened both of us.
I stood in front of the mirror and started opening my ponytail. I was very fond of my hair. I had long and black beautiful hair. Everyone in the class used to praise me for my hair. Last Sunday, in the fancy dress competition I won first prize in the role of Rupenzell.

I was potraying as model with my trophy in front of the mirrior, when Nitiksh came with his toy car and started moving it on my hair. The car wheel got fixed up in my hair and my few strands broke. I shouted at him with pain and said "I will throw your car from balcony if you touch my hair one more time."
Nitiksh laughed at me and pulled my hair and ran away from there. I really got frustrated and went after him. I took his car and went to the balcony. I threw his car from the balcony of our 8th floor flat. Seeing this Nitiksh started crying loudly. It was his favorite car.

He started crying and shouting. Hearing this Mom came and pacified him. She said "No worries, we will bring a new one for you." With wholesome of tears in his eyes, he said "I want this only. It was my favourite car." Mom scolded me "Why did you throw his car, now you are not going to watch TV for full one day." I explained to mom saying” Nitiksh was keep on troubling me and was pulling my hair. You know how much I love my hair and he doesn’t have any respect for my hair. So to teach a leasson to him, I threw his car”. Listening this, Nitiksh started crying more loudly. Mom took both of us inside and made us to sit in different room. At dinner time, Dad made us to say sorry to each other but we were not in a mood for a patch up. Nitiksh was too much hurt as his favorite car was turned into a pieces.

In the morning when I went to brush my teeth, I saw my ponytail is missing from my head. I shouted so loudly that even my neighbors would have heard it. Both Mom and Dad came to my room after hearing my shout.

Mom looked horrified seeing this and called Nitiksh . He was sleeping in his bed and mom made him wakeup. She asked "did you cut didi’s hair?" He was half sleep said yes because she had thrown my favourite car. Thats why I cut her ponytale and threw it from the balcony. My Mom put her both hands on her face with frustration whereas dad was trying to console me.

I cried for whole morning and didn’t go the school. Both Mom and Dad has scolded Nitiskh like never before. Seeing my situation, nitiksh came to me with a sorry card but I was very furious on him and tored his card. Dad also consoled me but I was too depressed. In the evening, mom took me to the hairdressers. The only thing the hairdresser could do was cut it even shorter to get it even. When I was finished, my hair was shorter than my ears!

I can never ever become Rupenzell again in fancy dress competition. I lost all my long tresses in just one night. I was feeling so pathetic about it. I refused to go to school and have stopped talking with my brother. He even cried with me and said sorry also but I was not in a mood to forgive him.

For next 2 days, I didn’t go to school. I knew my entire classmates will tease me which will be unbearable for me. It was Sunday morning and as I got up I saw a gift beside my bed. I opened it and found dove nourshing oil care products. I took the bag to mom and asked “ Mom did you bring this for me?”. She answered no than I asked Dad “ Did you give this?”. Dad told “ No dear, Nitiksh brought it for you. He has used broken his piggybank and bought this gift for you”. I looked at nitiksh. He was holding his ears and said “ sorry didi….. I will never do this again.
I just cannt believe that Nitiksh has broken his piggbank for me. He was saving money to buy his favorite The Darth Vader fighting helmet from The Empire Strikes Back. He used all money to buy Dove products for me. I was moved.

“Yesterday, I saw Dove advertisement in TV and thought it will be good if you use it.” Nitiksh said in his excited voice. He switched on TV and said “ Wait for a while, it will come , you will see how aunty get long hair in no time after using dove”. I saw it and somehow I thought to use it.

Mom told me not to worry, as she will help me to use dove product. Mom drawn a chart for me on how to use each product.

Slowly and steadily, my hair started growing. We use to keep a check on my hair length. Soon it became our sunday game. Every Sunday, I and nitiksh use to measure my length of my hair with a measuring tape and note it down in a copy. As time passes, my hair started looking more beautiful and shiner compare to past. I was having a much bouncy and shiny hair. I was happy and that it was the end of my hair problem.

More than me, Nitiksh was happy to see the length of my hair. With is incident, our bonding became stronger.
Thanks Dove and nitiksh for returning my beautiful hair back.

Hi ! My name is Anshika and I love to cook, bake, paint, read novels, watch movies and much more...My fascination with all things creative keeps changing from time to time. This blog is an effort to catch all my mood swing seasons.

If you want to give me any suggestions or want help on any of the things. Write to me at anshikamails @ gmail dot com